Atlanta Falcons Receiver Roddy White Had His Best Game At Last

By Daniel Chi

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The most talked about play from the latest loss the Atlanta Falcons suffered at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers is when the football was jarred from Harry Douglas and intercepted by linebacker NaVorro Bowman who returned it for a 89-yard touchdown that sealed the 49ers’ victory in a rather surprising close contest at Candlestick Park.

Although that play was without a doubt highlight-reel material and possibly one of the most athletic plays in the NFL this year, for Falcons’ fans the play that marveled them and brought back hope for next year was the 39-yard touchdown strike from Matt Ryan to Roddy White in the fourth quarter.

Even in a losing effort, White’s performance was a beacon of joy as he finally put together arguably his best game of the year. For the most part this season, the four-time Pro Bowler White has looked more like a bench warmer or a comedian who keeps saying the same jokes for 15 years and is just not funny anymore. In this game, however, the high-ankle sprain and hamstring issues that defined White’s season came out like a loose cannonball ready to implode.

White easily had his best performance yet as he not only regained his connection with Matty Ice but finally looked like one of the best receivers in the NFL even at the age of 32. White finished the game with a season-high 12 receptions for 141 yards and a beautiful 39-yard touchdown catch where he adjusted to the ball to make a nice over-the-shoulder grab.

In the past four games, White has been outstanding with 35 catches for 411 yards as he leads the NFL in receptions this month. It has been a slow, painful process, but White seems to finally be getting over his injuries and regaining his status around the league.

Though White has been shot down for the latter part of this season due to multiple injuries, it is starting to look like “Ironman” White is ready to return and will be ready to prove he still has it next year.